Summary

Saudi Arabia has shown an ongoing disregard for fundamental human rights through the suppression of political dissent, restrictions on religious freedom, and absence of basic women’s rights. Saudi law is based on Sharia and mandates all citizens to be Muslims. Public practice of other religions is prohibited, and non-Muslim places of worship are forbidden. The Hindu population is primarily comprised of migrant workers from South Asia (165,000 – 300,000), who frequently endure “slavery-like conditions.” Non-Muslim migrant workers, particularly Hindus, are deprived of all basic human rights and religious freedom.